Bios

Mariana Valente

You would think that after learning four languages, being educated as a teacher and achieving success at the highest level as Miss Universe Canada 2009, Mariana Valente would be happy with her achievements. But using the same drive that got her to the top of her profession, Mariana has built on her accomplishments to heighten social awareness for a number of women’s issues, including health and fitness. A native of Brazil, Mariana met Michael Valente after training with some of the top fitness professionals in the business. Working with Michael on the road to the Miss Universe Canada title, Mariana not only gained the appreciation for fitness that resulted in her becoming a professional trainer, but she developed an appreciation for Michael too! They were married in 2010. Michael and Mariana’s shared interest in personal fitness and healthy eating lead to the opening of The Fit Loft training studio. Now, after developing personalized nutritious meal plans for one of their clients, Mariana and Michael have partnered with that client, Cathy Ciccolini, to offer their meal plans to everyone. The result is Fit Food.

The result of all those impressive numbers? Combined with his extensive background in athletics, nutrition and sports supplementation, they have allowed Michael to develop a holistic approach to his clients’ health and fitness, including regular exercise and a nutrition-based diet. It’s not too often that two people with the same last names end up getting married, but that’s what happened after Michael Valente and Mariana Valente met each other as he helped her train to win the Miss Universe Canada title. After opening The Fit Loft personal training studio in 2009, Michael and Mariana developed a custom meal plan to answer a client’s request to achieve higher levels of health and fitness. The client soon enjoyed results she never thought possible. Not long after, Michael and Mariana partnered with that same client, Cathy Ciccolini, to create Fit Food and offer the delicious and nutritious dishes to the public.

Cathy Ciccolini

Many gym-goers buy a membership, show up a few times and never return. Not Cathy Ciccolini. She has maintained a weekly workout schedule for over 20 years, most recently with Michael Valente. But you need more than regular exercise to cope with 75-hour work weeks as one of the members of her busy family business. Michael helped Cathy take her health and fitness to a higher level with a meal plan focused on nutrition, higher energy and lower stress. It worked. Already fit, Cathy lost another two dress sizes, no longer craves fast and processed foods and easily maintains a healthy weight. So impressed with the combination of exercise and healthy eating, Cathy wanted to be more than a customer and asked Michael & Mariana to partner in Fit Foods to help others enjoy the same benefits. “It’s a journey that has changed my life in such a positive, long-term way. I became Michael and Mariana’s partner so I can share that journey with the rest of the world.”

Shelby Kroach, BA, CNP, NNCP

Shelby Kroach, is a holistic nutritionist and a true food enthusiast. After receiving her honors BA in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, Shelby decided to take her passion for health and wellness and combine it with her love for food and nutrition. Her philosophy of “what you put in your body affects how you feel both inside and out” has helped her clients achieve their health goals. Shelby was a competitive gymnast and dancer for over 10 years. She has a great understanding of proper fuelling for optimal performance and overall wellness. Some of the areas that she focuses on are: weight loss, sports nutrition, type 2-diabetes/pre diabetes support, and nutrition for various health conditions. In Shelby’s practice, the word “diet” does not exist. She develops lifestyle plans that are simple, attainable and sustainable for life.

*Depending on your meal plan you will not receive all the items listed on this menu, please contact [email protected] for more details*